By Amgbare Prince, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, CP Francis Idu, has commended residents and the Operation Puff Adder tactical team for their role in the arrest of George Idumangi, the prime suspect in the murder of 42-year-old estate agent, Richard Ekpebu. Addressing journalists in Yenagoa on Friday, Idu said the arrest was made possible through strong community intelligence and effective collaboration among security agencies. He praised the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for introducing a reward system that motivates officers to deliver exceptional results. He also lauded the commitment of the tactical team, led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo, describing their efforts as remarkable.Idumangi was apprehended in Festac Town, Lagos, while attempting to obtain an international passport to flee the country. The operation was carried out through joint efforts of the Bayelsa and Lagos police commands with support from the Nigerian Immigration Service.
According to Idu, investigations revealed that the suspect had swapped his phone, which was later traced to a woman who unknowingly purchased it from a shop in Computer Village, Ikeja. Despite hiding in a gated estate, a lead from a dry cleaner linked to Idumangi’s associates enabled his arrest.“Idumangi tried to evade justice, but the vigilance of Bayelsa residents ensured his capture,” the Commissioner said. He added that the suspect, with the alleged involvement of his girlfriend, betrayed and murdered his friend, Ekpebu.
In a related development, the Commissioner paraded two suspects found with military-grade ammunition who had fled conflict in the North West before relocating to Bayelsa. He stressed that the recovered rounds were not typical civilian ammunition. Idu urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity, noting that public trust and intelligence remain critical in tackling insecurity. He described insecurity in the Niger Delta as “a tiger with its head in Bayelsa,” highlighting the police’s adoption of advanced strategies such as geofencing to safeguard vulnerable areas.
The Commissioner further assured that the state government, under Governor Douye Diri, has provided the police with the technical and moral support needed to combat crime.“
Our goal is to keep criminals at bay and maintain Bayelsa as a peaceful haven,” he said, urging citizens to continue providing timely information to support security efforts.
